The sun rose above the academy, casting a golden glow across the land, while birds chirped merrily in the crisp morning air. Rai slowly opened his eyes, the weight of the upcoming battle heavy on his mind. Sitting cross-legged atop his bed, he closed his eyes again, his hands resting calmly in his lap. With a quiet prayer, Rai centred himself, his focus entirely on the fight ahead. This was the moment he had been working towards his entire life.
Gale, on the other hand, had already risen. He quickly got dressed and hurried out of the room, determined to ensure Rai wasn’t left behind in his preparations. But Rai remained still, meditating in silence, as if drawing strength from the universe itself. The fight would be for more than just personal glory—it was for every individual who had been dismissed as lesser simply because they weren’t born with eyes that overflowed with magic.
A short while later, Gale returned, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a plate of eggs and bread in the other. “You need to eat, Rai. Big day ahead,” he said with a grin, clearly eager for the upcoming battle.
Rai nodded and rose from the bed. His hair, spiky and black, was a little messy, but he didn’t mind. The red scarf tied loosely around his waist was a gift from his parents, symbolizing both their support and their faith in him. Donning the black vest and pants provided by them, Rai quickly scarfed down his meal, his focus unwavering.
Within minutes, both of them were ready. Gale gave Rai an encouraging nod, and the two made their way toward the academy's grand arena—The Eyes of Truth. The arena was a massive structure, shaped like a colossal eye, standing as a testament to the academy’s importance. Capable of holding over 100,000 people, it was large enough to accommodate the entire student body of 150,000. With the older years absent for various reasons, it would more than suffice for the spectacle that was about to unfold. The arena, standing proudly against the rising sun, was ready to witness a fight that would determine more than just the victor—it would decide the future of the academy.
At the entrance to the arena, Gale and Rai part ways. “Good luck, man,” says Gale as he makes his way to the spectator stands. Rai walks toward the contenders' section of the arena and sits in the waiting room. The arena is brimming with students.
“Welcome, everyone, to this grand occasion!” says a female voice through the speakers of the arena. She is the presenter. “This is a historic moment. Not only are we about to witness a Magian battle after 50 years, but today we will witness a never-before-seen moment in history. A boy with ordinary eyes and no magic whatsoever is going up against the strongest 5th-year student!” The crowd erupts into cheers. “The last victor of the Magian battle is our current headmaster, so why don’t we put our hands together to invite that legend?”
The crowd’s cheers swell to a deafening roar as Headmaster Pragay steps into view. A figure of wisdom and authority, he is a venerable man with a long, flowing white beard, his round glasses perched delicately atop his nose. Dressed in a simple cassock, every movement he makes seems to radiate both knowledge and power. Behind him walks his vice head, Frost Kromus, a stoic figure whose presence commands respect. Together, they make their way to the judges' lounge, located at the base of the arena, where they will oversee the battle and determine its outcome.
As the two of them take their seats in the lounge, it is clear that there are still three more seats left to fill.
The announcer’s voice rang out once more, “Alright folks, that’s not all! Now, let’s invite the remaining judges, the esteemed Deans of each department. First, from the Magic Department, please welcome Dean Harchell!”
A slender and graceful woman with long black hair and piercing blue eyes stepped forward. Her every movement exuded elegance as she walked to the lounge, her cheongsam flowing effortlessly with her steps. With an air of authority and poise, she took her seat among the other judges.
“Next, we have the Dean of the Combat Department, Dean Luthor.”
A young man with short, neatly combed brown hair walked out, dressed in an elegant tuxedo. His appearance was polished, but it was his aura that truly stood out—each step he took seemed to send ripples of fear and dread through the crowd. His presence alone exuded an intimidating mastery, one that only a true combat expert could carry effortlessly. Without saying a word, he took his seat, and the atmosphere seemed to grow heavier in his wake, but it did not stop the cheers.
“And finally, we have the esteemed Dean of the Magic Beasts Department, Dean Shelly.”
A young girl, appearing no older than 14, stepped forward. She wore a cute, frilly dress and skipped happily to her seat, her cheerful demeanour seemingly out of place in such a grand arena. At first glance, she might have appeared harmless, but the true extent of her power became apparent only when the crowd noticed something unusual above her.
A massive red phoenix, its feathers glowing like flames, descended gracefully from the sky. As it neared the academy, the creature began to shrink in size until it gently landed on Dean Shelly’s lap. The sight was awe-inspiring—this seemingly innocent girl was bonded with one of the most powerful magical beasts in existence.
“With that, we now have everyone here, ready for the fight. So, let’s not waste any time and invite the contenders of the match. Remember, their futures hang in the balance. First, let us call upon the man sought after by every squad in the Elemental Knights, the strongest 5th-year student with the most promising future in the world of magic—it is none other than Mammoth Stark!”
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers as Mammoth Stark, the towering 8-foot-tall behemoth of a man, strode confidently into the arena. His fighting gear gleamed with gold accents, the yellow theme matching the raw power that emanated from him. The audience’s adoration was palpable, for they had already decided the outcome of this match in his favor. Mammoth raised a hand in greeting, acknowledging both the judges and the crowd, before taking his position in the arena with calm assurance.
“Now, the man of the moment—the oddball who initiated this entire challenge, his ordinary eyes making him an extraordinary contender for this fight—let's welcome, Rai!!!”
Rai strode out into the arena with effortless coolness, exuding confidence with every step. To his surprise, there were actually cheers in the crowd—though quiet in comparison to the overwhelming scorn directed his way, the sound still lifted his spirits. He scanned the stands, searching for the source of his support, and his eyes fell upon Gale and his low-magic comrades. They numbered in the thousands—maybe as many as two thousand—out of the hundred thousand students. Their cheers, though small in number, carried immense weight, reassuring Rai of the importance of this battle.
He walked forward, acknowledging the supporters with a nod and facing the sea of scornful eyes with an unwavering smile. His gaze turned to Mammoth Stark, the opponent who stood ready for the fight, and Rai braced himself for what was to come.
As the two stood poised for battle, the tension in the arena was palpable. Rai maintained a calm and collected posture, exuding unwavering confidence, while Mammoth radiated raw power, yellow sparks of lightning crackling around him. The crowd fell into an expectant hush, every eye locked on the contenders.
The gong rang out, its echo signaling the start of the fight. Without hesitation, Mammoth struck, unleashing a furious yellow lightning whip that coiled around Rai, binding him tightly. A smug grin spread across Mammoth’s face, confident in his quick dominance.
But his triumph was short-lived. With seemingly no effort, Rai broke free from the crackling bonds, the lightning dissipating as if it were nothing. Gasps filled the arena, followed by a swell of murmurs rippling through the crowd.
"How on earth did he do that?"
"Does he have anti-magic or something?"
Questions buzzed through the stands like wildfire, the spectators unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. Rai stood undeterred, his calm demeanour unshaken, while Mammoth’s smirk faded.
Irritated by Rai's effortless escape, Mammoth decided to escalate the fight. Sparks crackled furiously as he conjured two lightning whips, their arcs illuminating the arena with a fierce golden glow. This time, he abandoned any pretense of restraint and aimed directly to kill.
"Double Whiplash!" Mammoth roared, hurling his attack with devastating force. The twin strikes came down from above, splitting the air with a deafening crack and hurtling toward Rai like twin bolts of fury.
But Rai remained unfazed. With a swift sidestep, he dodged the attack, his movements fluid and precise. The whips slammed into the arena floor, obliterating it into three massive fragments. Dust and debris filled the air as the crowd gasped, their awe palpable.
"If Rai had been hit by that, it’d be over for him," someone muttered.
"That attack wasn’t at the speed of light, but it was easily faster than sound. And he dodged it like it was nothing," Rose thought to herself, her gaze sharp from her vantage point in the VIP stand. Her heart raced, not just from Mammoth's display of raw power but from Rai's ability to counter it with such ease.
The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. No one had expected Rai to last this long—no one except Gale, who, despite knowing Rai for only a day, seemed entirely unsurprised. He was the lone voice cheering amid a sea of shock.
As the dust from Mammoth's attack began to settle, the arena miraculously restored itself, the fractured ground knitting together seamlessly. It was none other than Dean Harchell, who mended the damage with effortless elegance, her magic exuding a calm yet commanding poise.
Both combatants regained their footing, their gazes locked. Mammoth’s eyes burned with frustration.
"That’s enough messing around," Mammoth growled. "You’ve had your fun—now it ends."
He raised a single finger toward the sky, manipulating the moisture in the air. Dark storm clouds, pulsing with yellow lightning, gathered ominously above the arena. With a dramatic sweep of his hand, Mammoth brought his finger down, shouting, "Primordial Judgment!"
A colossal bolt of lightning streaked down from the heavens, aimed directly at Rai.
Rai, calm and collected, stood his ground. With one hand casually tucked into his pocket, he raised his left hand to the sky. In an instant, the enormous lightning bolt dissipated into nothingness, leaving the crowd stunned into silence once more.
"How is that even possible?" Mammoth muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. The crowd erupted into murmurs, a chaotic chorus of shock and speculation filling the arena.
"That attack was powerful enough to bring down a Primordial Golem," Mammoth continued, his tone turning defensive as he glared at Rai. "That’s why it’s named after it. Even I—someone stronger than most—had to pour so much of my energy into creating it. And yet, you just casually deflect and dissipate it like it’s nothing. There’s no way this is legit!"
He clenched his fists, sparks of yellow lightning crackling around him as his frustration mounted. "So tell me, Rai—what are you hiding?"
The crowd buzzed with murmurs, their anticipation and curiosity mounting. Many nodded in agreement with Mammoth’s accusation, their voices rising in shared disbelief.
“I once saw Mammoth destroy a mountain because he mis-aimed this attack! And that was less than half as strong as his Primordial Judgement! one student exclaimed, his tone laced with awe.
“You’re right! Even as a 4th-year during last year’s Four Great Elemental Academy Tourney, he faced 8th and 9th-years head-on and made it to the round of sixteen! another chimed in.
The voices grew louder, filled with both admiration and unease.
“He’s no weakling. In fact, of all the students here, no one—not even Rose—could hope to defeat him.”
The weight of Mammoth’s reputation hung heavily over the arena, yet all eyes were fixed on Rai, the boy who had defied every expectation so far.
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“Prana,” Pragay declared loudly, his voice resonating across the arena. “Rai is using Prana. It is an ancient technique, long forgotten, dismissed as inferior to Mana—the magical energy channeled through our eyes.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Pragay continued, his tone laced with both amazement and intrigue.
“Yet it seems Rai has taken this lost technique to an entirely new height. What was once considered inferior, he has forged into something equal to Mana—if not greater.”
The students and spectators exchanged bewildered glances, murmurs breaking out like ripples in water. Pragay, however, wasn’t finished.
“Although,” he added with a knowing chuckle, “how Rai managed to learn such an ancient art and evolve it to this level is... a mystery.”
His words carried a subtle undertone, a hint that he knew far more than he was revealing. It was a nuance lost on the crowd, too stunned by the revelation, but Frost Kromus narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. He had caught it, and his calculating mind began to turn.
With a dumbfounded look on his face, Rai yelled in comedic frustration, “Hey, old man, mind your own business! You’re stealing my thunder here! I was about to reveal it and look all cool, so Rose would fall for me!”
He then glanced up at Rose and winked, fully expecting her to be impressed.
But instead of blushing, Rose looked at him with utter disgust. Rai’s confidence evaporated, and he crumpled to the floor, defeated by her cold response.
Frost Kromus stood up, fury in his eyes as he shouted at Rai, “You insolent brat! How dare you address the headmaster like that? I’ll have you—”
Before he could finish, Headmaster Pragaya calmly pulled him back down with a chuckle, saying, “Oh, haha, it’s quite alright, Kromus. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen such an interesting character like him.”
“Continue the fight, it’s getting interesting now,” Pragaya added with a smile, his tone filled with amusement.
Rai sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly in mock resignation. “Well, what can you do? Guess there’s no need to be mysterious anymore,” he said with a smirk. “Alright, Mammoth, you wanna see what true strength is?”
With that, Rai tucked his arms in, his closed fists mimicking martial arts stances. He took a deep breath, and in an instant, the air around him began to whip into a frenzy, almost like a storm. A faint silver aura began to radiate from his body, growing steadily stronger.
As Rai opened his eyes, a shockwave rippled through the academy, sending a powerful tremor across the ground. His aura was menacing, overwhelming, and powerful. Mammoth's eyes widened, and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead, a silent sign of the fear he now felt from the intensity of Rai’s presence.
“This is the true strength of the ordinary,” Rai said, his voice steady and calm.
The crowd fell into stunned silence. Rose's expression was one of shock, disbelief, but Gale—standing tall—had a proud grin, his eyes glowing with pride. Gale, Rai’s unwavering supporter throughout the battle, beamed with pride, knowing he had been right all along.
Rai focused his prana into his feet, propelling himself forward like a flash, faster than Mammoth’s lightning. The ground beneath him shattered in his wake. Before Mammoth could even react, Rai was inches from his face. A few seconds later, a shockwave of wind surged toward Mammoth, the result of Rai’s rapid movement creating a vacuum behind him, forcing the air to rush back in to fill the space.
Mammoth’s face twisted in disbelief as he scrambled to make a move, but before he could react, Rai pressed four fingers to Mammoth’s chest. With a swift motion, Rai delivered a one-inch punch, the force of which sent Mammoth flying back, blood spilling from his mouth.
The crowd, including Gale, Rose, and the judges—except Pragaya and Dean Harchell—watched in utter disbelief. Pragaya wore a look of quiet pride, while Harchell remained expressionless, both observing as Mammoth crashed into the edge of the arena, falling to the ground. The crowd was silent, unsure how to react, but as the shock faded, Gale’s group—those with weak magic, often overlooked and disregarded—erupted into a deafening roar. Their cheers carried the weight of their hopes and dreams, heralding the dawn of a new era. Rai stood there, radiant and powerful, like a mythical beast, his aura overwhelming and his eyes although not red, seemed so burning with intensity.
Mammoth slowly picked himself up from the rubble, muttering under his breath with desperation. "No... it can’t be. My journey can’t end here. I have too much to lose." With a furious roar, he shouted, "I have to make him payyyy!" His voice reverberated through the academy, sending a tremor of fear through the crowd. Stepping back onto the stage, he glared at Rai. "Fine, Rai. I didn’t want to kill you here, but you leave me no choice. I’m going all out, and I mean that in the most literal way. If what I do next doesn’t defeat you, then I’m done."
Pausing, Mammoth called out, "Fortify, Lightning Doomhammer!" The crowd, no longer simply shocked, began to tremble in fear. "He can’t be serious, can he?" someone whispered. "That’s an advanced technique. It shapes your mana to your personality, exponentially increasing your fighting strength." Another voice added, "I heard Sir Pragaya used that very technique to win the last Magian battle."
Mammoth’s body began to shimmer with crackling lightning, his lightning slowly transforming into gladiator-like armour that began encasing him. The power coursing through him was undeniable, and as his helmet sealed over his face, his eyes blazed a bright yellow, showcasing the raw force of his mana. In his hand, the lightning coalesced into a massive hammer, the perfect weapon for his destructive personality.
Mammoth chuckled darkly. "You hide your fear well, Rai, but I am far from done." In a dramatic motion, he swung the hammer down in front of him with menacing force, then raised his right hand to the sky, his eyes closing as he began chanting.
"I call upon you now, Jörmungandr, lend me your power in this battle!"
A ripple of dread spread through the students, their bodies stiffening as a cold chill ran down their spines. "He’s using summoning magic here in the arena," one murmured. "And it’s no ordinary summon—it's Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, one of the mythical creatures known to aid the gods."
Fear swept across the crowd like a tidal wave, leaving the students frozen in their seats, breathless.
Frost Kromus rose, his eyes sharp with concern. "We must intervene. This summon is too dangerous—it could put everyone here at risk."
But Pragaya, without a hint of doubt, gestured for him to sit. "It’s fine, Kromus. Just sit and watch the show."
"But sir, this—"
"I said, just watch," Pragaya replied, his voice firm with the weight of authority.
Just then, the skies opened, and a dark bluish serpent of unimaginable size descended.
"Jörmungandr, make yourself an appropriate size for this arena," Mammoth commanded.
"As you wish, master," Jörmungandr rumbled in a deep, thunderous voice.
The humongous serpent began to shrink as it slithered into the arena, coiling and settling beside Mammoth. Even after shrinking, Jörmungandr remained a monstrous sight, far larger than Mammoth himself.
"How about it, Rai? Feeling scared yet?" Mammoth sneered.
Rai, with a cold, commanding look in his eyes, exuded confidence. However, a quick glance at his legs revealed them trembling uncontrollably in comedic fashion.
The once-cheerful crowd supporting Rai, led by Gale, now looked on with growing worry. Their earlier excitement had turned into unease as they wondered how Rai would fare against such a formidable opponent.
Rose, no longer seated, gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles white as she leaned forward. Her teeth clenched as her mind flashed to the memory of the night before in the cafeteria. She recalled the moment she realized Rai didn’t see her as the Elmag’s daughter, just as Rose—a person. Her thoughts raced, and her lips parted in a silent plea: “Don’t you dare die here, Rai.”
On the battlefield, Rai stood with trembling legs, his usual composure shaken. Beads of sweat trickled down his face as he struggled to form a strategy. He had spoken boldly, given hope to those who once had none, and he wasn’t about to let them down now.
On the other side of the arena, Mammoth wrestled with battles of his own. As he readied himself, a fleeting flashback surfaced—a memory of his father walking away from him, disappointment etched into his face, as Mammoth lay sprawled on the ground after a failed attempt. The image stung like a fresh wound, and Mammoth clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms. “I have to teach that bastard a lesson,” he muttered under his breath, his voice a mix of determination and fury.
With a commanding roar, Mammoth pointed his finger forward. "Go, Jörmungandr! Devour him!"
The serpent coiled upward, its dark bluish scales shimmering with raw, otherworldly power. It lunged toward Rai with terrifying speed, its massive jaws ready to strike.
Rai, unwavering, clenched his fists and channeled Prana into his feet. As the serpent's shadow loomed over him, he pushed off the ground with a force that cracked the arena floor beneath him, narrowly dodging its initial attack.
The serpent twisted mid-air, unrelenting, closing the distance within moments. Its jaws opened wide, promising annihilation. Rose turned her head away, unable to bear the sight, her hands trembling as she gripped the railing. The crowd collectively held their breath, some closing their eyes, expecting the worst.
Moments passed. Silence.
Rose gulped, gathering the courage to look back at the battlefield. Her heart raced as her eyes widened in disbelief. Around her, the judges—except Pragaya, who wore a knowing, proud smile—rose from their seats, their faces frozen in awe. Even the usually stoic Dean Harchell blushed, her eyes fixed on Rai with a gaze bordering on admiration.
The crowd, hesitatingly, opened their eyes. Gasps rippled through the arena as they took in the unbelievable scene: Jörmungandr, the world serpent, its immense form coiled humbly, was bowing its head before Rai in complete submission.
Mammoth, lost for words, knelt on the ground, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Rai, with a dumbfounded and confused expression, scratched his head, trying to process what had just happened. Letting out a sigh of relief, he muttered to himself, "Well, I guess that worked out. Good thing too—because if it hadn’t, I’d be toast right about now." A sheepish grin spread across his face as he realized he’d narrowly escaped death by sheer luck.
The crowd sat in stunned silence for a moment, before erupting into cheers for Rai. This time, even some of the students who once believed their powerful eyes set them above others joined in. Of course, not everyone was pleased—students from the top clans, like Baruss, were visibly furious, their faces twisted in disbelief and anger at Rai’s survival.
Mammoth stared blankly at the ground before glancing up at the sky. A single tear rolled down his cheek. "That’s it," he murmured, his voice heavy with despair. "I have nothing left. You took my strongest trump card and made it submit to you." He clenched his fists as he whispered, "I’m sorry, Mother. I failed to keep my promise."
Turning to the judges, Mammoth began, "I forfeit—"
But before he could finish, Rai stepped forward, his voice cutting through the arena like a blade. "What do you think you’re doing?"
Mammoth froze, staring at Rai in confusion. "What?"
Rai’s eyes burned with conviction as he snapped, "I said, what do you think you’re doing? Is this all it takes for you to give up? Are you kidding me?"
Mammoth blinked, his voice faltering. "But my strongest attack—"
"Just shut the hell up!" Rai interrupted, his voice booming with authority. "Don’t you feel ashamed saying that in front of me? 'What more could I do?' Seriously? You’re asking me that—the guy who couldn’t do anything because the universe thought it’d be hilarious to make me the only one without magic?"
The arena fell silent as Rai continued, his words dripping with passion. "Even I—someone who was born with nothing—found a way to stand here and make myself known. And now you, with all that strength and talent, are ready to throw in the towel just because you lost once? That’s pathetic! Don’t you dare give up so easily—not in front of me!"
Rai’s words struck deep into Mammoth’s heart like a well-aimed arrow. Rai stepped closer, his voice unwavering. "I could tell from those eyes—and no, I’m not talking about your magic. That’s all you lot seem to care about these days. I’m talking about what’s behind those eyes." He paused, letting his words sink in. "They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and from your soul, I can tell you’re not here for yourself. From what you said, I’m guessing it’s for your mother."
Mammoth’s astonished gaze met Rai’s, his silence speaking volumes. Rai pressed on. "Do you really think your mother would forgive you if you just threw in the towel like that? If you gave up without fighting till your very last breath?"
Those words pierced through Mammoth like lightning, dragging him into memories he’d tried to bury. The promise he had made to his mother echoed in his mind: "I promise, Mom, I’ll make things right again." Tears welled in his eyes and began to fall freely, his chest heaving with raw emotion.
Rai’s tone softened but remained resolute. "So get your sorry ass off the ground, because this fight isn’t over. Not until one of us is six feet under."
Mammoth looked up, admiration shining through his tear-streaked face. Slowly, Rai extended his hand, his palm open in an unspoken gesture of camaraderie. Mammoth hesitated for a moment, then clasped Rai’s hand firmly. Rai pulled him to his feet, and the two stood face to face.
Mammoth wanted to say thank you, but the fire of the fight still burned in his chest. “I’ll save it for after,” he thought, clenching his fists as he readied himself once more.
“And now for you,” Rai said, his gaze shifting to the serpent. “I have no idea why you’re submitting to me, and honestly, I’m flattered. But if you have any respect for me, then you’ll obey your master and give it your all. That would be the greatest sign of respect you could show me.”
The serpent bowed its head in acknowledgment, a gesture of reverence toward Rai. With a respectful shake, it slithered back to Mammoth’s side, coiling protectively around him.
Up in the VIP section, Rose placed a hand over her heart. Rai’s words struck a chord deep within her, stirring a memory of her father. She recalled a moment when, as a young girl, she had declared with childlike certainty, “Daddy, I won’t let any other man even touch me unless he’s at least as great as you. I guess that means I’ll be your little girl forever.”
Her father had chuckled warmly, brushing her hair aside as he replied, “Don’t be so sure, my darling. This year in particular, I’m expecting a great man to join the academy.”
The memory replayed vividly in her mind, and a realization hit her like a gale-force wind. Rose’s gaze fell on Rai, her admiration growing with every passing second.
In the arena, the crowd was a mixture of emotions. Some were moved to tears by Rai’s conviction, while others erupted into cheers that echoed through the academy grounds. Rai’s presence had united them, if only for a moment. The judges, now seated once again, wore expressions of pride and admiration. Dean Harchell, however, stood out among them, unabashedly fawning over Rai with sparkly, star-struck eyes that seemed out of place for someone of her stature. Despite her antics, the judges collectively shared a mutual anticipation for the conclusion of what had become an extraordinary battle.
Rai turned his attention back to Mammoth. “Now then, let’s finish this battle the way real men should,” he declared with unwavering determination.
Mammoth, still clad in his electrifying armor with the hammer gripped tightly in one hand and Jörmungandr looming beside him, nodded. “Yeah. Let’s.”